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MOGADISHU, Somalia — A huge explosion from a truck bomb killed 20 people in Somalia’s capital, police said Saturday, as shaken residents called it the most powerful blast they’d heard in years.

The explosion appeared to target a hotel on a busy road in Hodan district and at least 15 people were injured, police Capt. Mohamed Hussein said. Security forces had been trailing the truck after it raised suspicions, he said.

Police said people were trapped in the rubble of the Safari Hotel, which was largely destroyed in the explosion. The hotel is close to Somalia’s foreign ministry. Rescue workers were at the scene.

The Somalia-based extremist group al-Shabab recently stepped up attacks on army bases across south and central Somalia. While there was no immediate claim of responsibility for Saturday’s blast, al-Shabab often targets high-profile areas of Mogadishu with deadly bombings.

Gunshots could be heard at the site, and ambulance sirens wailed across the capital, which has been under tight security with military-manned checkpoints.

The explosion left a trail of destruction across a busy intersection, with several bodies and bloodied slippers and shoes. Windows of nearby buildings were shattered. Overturned cars lay in the street, burning. A large plume of smoke rose nearby.

A Somali soldier helps a civilian who was wounded in a blast in the capital of Mogadishu, Somalia, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017. A huge explosion from a truck bomb has killed at least 20 people in Somalia’s capital, police said Saturday, as shaken residents called it the most powerful blast they’d heard in years. (Farah Abdi Warsameh/Associated Press)

Fighting between the military and police backed by intelligence forces killed nine people in the Somali capital on Saturday, police said.

“It seems they mistook the Somali national army for (clan) militias. The death toll is nine people including a civilian,” Major Abdullahi Hussein, a police officer, told Reuters.

He said the fighting occurred because police were wrongly informed that there were armed militias in the area.

“Accidents happen,” he said.

Somalia has been riven by civil war since 1991, when clan-based warlords overthrew a dictator then turned against each other.

The weak U.N.-backed government is now battling an Islamist insurgency, but many members of its security forces are badly trained and coordination is poor.
A Somali Armed Forces member carries her ammunition during fighting between the military and police backed by intelligence forces in the Dayniile district of Mogadishu, Somalia September 16, 2017. REUTERS/Feisal Omar

“Last night security forces (the police and intelligence) besieged us and then opened fire. We defended ourselves and chased the so-called security forces after hours of fighting today. We lost two soldiers and a wife of my colleague,” Major Nur Osman, a military officer, told Reuters on Saturday.

“The land belongs to the military, it houses the families of soldiers. However, the security forces were trying to force us off the land,” he said.
Residents said the fighting was terrifying.

“We were awoken last night … by gunfire … We took our babies on our shoulders and fled,” resident Mohamed Idle told Reuters.

In a separate incident on Saturday, Islamist insurgents briefly entered the town of El Wak in Gedo region, southern Somalia, near the border with Kenya.

“A few soldiers were in El Wak and they left in the morning for tactical practice. Many al Shabaab fighters advanced,” Captain Ibrahim Ali, a military officer, told Reuters.

Al Shabaab said they stayed briefly, took weapons and supplies, and left.

Nine killed in fighting between different branches of Somali government forces: police was last modified: September 17th, 2017 by Warsan1

The recently deposed crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Nayef, has been barred from leaving the kingdom and confined to his palace in the coastal city of Jidda, according to four current and former American officials and Saudis close to the royal family.

The new restrictions on the man who until last week was next in line to the throne and ran the kingdom’s powerful internal security services sought to limit any potential opposition for the new crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, 31, the officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity so as not to jeopardize relationships with Saudi royals.

It was unclear how long the restrictions would remain in place. An adviser to the Saudi royal court referred queries to the Information Ministry, whose officials could not immediately be reached for comment on Wednesday. A senior official in the Saudi Foreign Ministry reached by telephone on Wednesday night described the account as “baseless and false.”

The Saudi monarch, King Salman, shook up the line of succession last week with a string of royal decrees that promoted his favorite son, Mohammed bin Salman, to crown prince and removed Mohammed bin Nayef, 57, from the line of succession.

The elder prince was also replaced as interior minister by a 33-year-old nephew, marking the end of a career that had won him deep respect in Washington and other foreign capitals for his work dismantling Al Qaeda’s networks inside the kingdom after a string of deadly bombings a decade ago.

Supporters of Mohammed bin Salman, often referred to as M.B.S., have lauded his promotion, saying it empowered a young, ambitious prince who has laid out a positive vision for the kingdom’s future.

But his elevation effectively ended the political prospects of many older princes, some of whom consider him rash, power hungry and inexperienced. Prince Mohammed also serves as the kingdom’s defense minister, putting him in charge of Saudi Arabia’s costly military intervention against the Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen.

Saudi state news media has gone out of its way to portray a smooth transition, repeatedly broadcasting a video showing Mohammed bin Salman deferentially kissing the hand of Mohammed bin Nayef, often referred to as M.B.N., who wishes him well.

But the restrictions placed on the elder prince suggest fear that some members of the sprawling royal family are upset with the change, and that public appearances by him could exacerbate such sentiments.

“It’s an indication that M.B.S. does not want any opposition,” a senior United States official said. “He doesn’t want any rear-guard action within the family. He wants a straight elevation without any dissent — not that M.B.N. was plotting anything anyway.”

The official said the United States government was in contact with the Saudi Interior Ministry, but that American officials had not had any formal contact with Mohammed bin Nayef and were monitoring the situation closely.

“M.B.N. has been such a great friend and partner of the U.S., we would not want to see him treated inelegantly or indecorously,” the senior American official said.

Since Mohammed bin Nayef’s removal from the line of succession, several veteran American counterterrorism and intelligence officials who had strong relationships with him have privately expressed outrage at his treatment. But they were wary of speaking publicly given the strong support for King Salman and his son from President Trump and other top aides, including Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law.

Mohammed bin Salman dined with Mr. Trump at the White House in March. That cleared the way for Mr. Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, where he declared the Saudis key allies in combating terrorism and extremism.

The restrictions have also been imposed on Mohammed bin Nayef’s daughters, according to a former American official who maintains ties to Saudi royals. A married daughter was told that her husband and their child could leave their home while she had to stay, the former official said.

One Saudi close to the royal family said the new restrictions had been imposed almost immediately after Mohammed bin Salman’s promotion.

After the announcement, Mohammed bin Nayef returned to his palace in Jidda to find that his trusted guards had been replaced by guards loyal to Mohammed bin Salman, according to the Saudi and a former American official. Since then, he has been prevented from leaving the palace.

Another former American official with close contacts with the royal family confirmed that Mohammed bin Nayef had been barred from leaving the kingdom, but said he had not heard that he had been restricted to his palace.

The promotion of Mohammed bin Salman last week followed his meteoric rise from near obscurity since his father came to the throne in early 2015 to the summit of Saudi power. Since then, he has been put in charge of the Defense Ministry, given oversight of the state oil monopoly and spearheaded the development of a plan called Saudi Vision 2030 that seeks to reduce the kingdom’s dependence on oil, diversify the economy and loosen some social restrictions.

His rise came at the expense of Mohammed bin Nayef, who has maintained a low profile while developing strong relationships with successive American administrations and intelligence officials.

During Mohammed bin Salman’s rise, American officials had struggled to build relationships with both princes while trying not to be used as leverage in any rivalry between them.

Mohammed bin Salman’s elevation has been accompanied by that of a number of other young princes. One of his brothers, Khalid bin Salman, was recently named the ambassador to Washington. He is believed to be in his late 20s.

Mohammed bin Nayef was replaced as interior minister by a nephew, Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef, who has no clear experience in law enforcement or intelligence matters. In a unique arrangement in a country traditionally guided by deference to elders, he is the son of Saud bin Nayef, the governor of the Eastern Province, effectively making the young prince his father’s boss.

Ben Hubbard reported from Beirut, and Eric Schmitt and Mark Mazzetti from Washington. Nicholas Confessore contributed reporting from New York.

Deposed Saudi prince Is said to be confined to Palace was last modified: June 29th, 2017 by Warsan1

An outbreak of acute diarrhea in Baidoa, the administrative capital of Southwest State and areas around the town, has killed at least five people in the last twenty-four hours, medical sources said on Wednesday.

The medical officers in Baidoa said over thirty more people have fallen ill as a result of the latest outbreak, which began in this month in the village.

“Five people have died in Baidoa Hospital and over thirty other are recuperating from the disease,” one of medical officers at Baidoa Hospital.

He called on the federal government and humanitarian aid agencies to deliver emergency support to the residents.

Aid organizations have been working to help those already sick and to prevent the epidemic from spreading further.

“The situation here is worrisome. The number of cases is growing fast and we need more support,’’ he said.

ACUTE DIARRHOEA KILLS FIVE, ABOUT 30 INFECTED IN BAIDOA was last modified: January 3rd, 2017 by Warsan1

This annual meeting was hosted by the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Swedish operational partner Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA). and held Scandic Hasselbacken, Stockholm. The two days meeting 7- 8 December 2016 was discussed to NWM members and a small group of international mediation practitioners, focusing on shared challenges, the NWM network, the common agenda and vision, organisational matters, potential activities and ways forward.

Since Norway hosted the Nordic Women Mediators (NWM) first meeting in 2015, the number of network members has grown significantly. This year’s gathering is an opportunity to further strengthen the network through interaction with key international political figures, researchers, practitioners and representatives from state and civil society organisations.

Inspired by similar initiatives in southern Africa, the Nordic governments endorsed the concept of a Nordic women mediators network at the Nordic-African Foreign Ministers meeting in April 2015. In November the same year, the Nordic Women Mediators (NWM) network was launched in Oslo, with the aim of strengthening women’s meaningful participation in peace processes. NOREF and PRIO are the operational partners in Norway.

The NWM includes women mediators from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, and enables experience and knowledge sharing within the network and engagement in similar initiatives in other regions and at international level. The NWM is comprised of more than 40 women with professional mediation expertise and political experience.

Mrs. Batula Essak, Chairman of Finnish-Somalia Association is a active members that participated this annual meeting.

In addition to NWM members, a number of international mediators, practitioners, political representatives and diplomats, representatives from international and Nordic organisations,
academics and journalists participated the annual meeting.

Wadani News24 Online Warsan Radio Netwerk Stockholm, Sweden

Batula Essac Chairman of Finnish-Somali Association attended Annual Meeting for The Nordic Women Mediators in Stockholm. Nordic Women Mediators in Stockholm. was last modified: December 8th, 2016 by Warsan1

The deputy of Somali military court prosecutor Col Abdullahi Hussein Mayonge has died of wounds suffered in an Al shabaab attack in Mogadishu in September, 2016 on Friday.

Confirming the death, a military colleague in the army told IdaleNews.com that Mayonge has passed away at Medina hospital on Friday from his wounds from a drive-shooting in Mogadishu by Al shabaab.

The deputy prosecutor of Somali armed forces Col Abdullahi Hussein Mayonge has been critically injured in September attack and admitted to Medina hospital, where was pronounced dead on Friday evening.

Al shabaab has targeted several Somali army officials in Mogadishu and elsewhere in country since the militant group has been ejected from the capital in 2011 by Somali and African Union force, AMISOM.

MAYONGE DIES OF WOUNDS FROM AL SHABAAB ATTACK was last modified: October 29th, 2016 by siid cali ateera

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) welcomes with joy the release of the Xog-Ogaal Editor, Abdi Aden Guled by the Somali government on Tuesday October 18, 2016, around 8:30 PM local time.

Abdi Aden Guled was arrested by Somali Intelligence Agency (NISA) and shut down the offices of Xog-Ogaal Newspaper on Saturday 15 October 2016 around 7:00 PM.

After discussion with Somalia’s Head of Intelligence, NUSOJ finally succeeded that Abdi Aden Guled to be released unconditionally.

General Gaafow head of intelligence confirmed NUSOJ that they will give back all office stuff to the editor tomorrowon Wednesday.

NUSOJ leadership as led by its Secretary General, Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu had been advocating for the freedom of the detained editor and the resumption of work by newspaper offices.

“We are relieved by the release of our colleague,” Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu, NUSOJ Secretary General said,
“We would like to thank all colleagues, media organizations and international partners who contributed to the release of Xog Ogaal editor” Moalimuu added.

We are now getting that two other journalists working with Aljazeera English plus fixer and driver have been arrested by Somalia security agency in Mogadishu after they returned from outside Mogadishu despite we haven’t yet got any details about their arrest. Hamza Mohamed a prominent journalist in Somalia is among the detained.

NUSOJ has a lot of concern over limitations of freedom expression and fair reporting to the electoral process during Somalia’s ongoing elections therefore we, call upon Somali government leaders, heads of regional states, national security agencies and presidential candidates to respect and guarantee freedom of expression, freedom of media.

NUSOJ Welcomes the release of Xog-ogaal Editor was last modified: October 20th, 2016 by siid cali ateera

Galmudug and Puntland forces Thursday morning exchanged artillery fire in the contested town of Galkaayo further escalating tension as more residents flee the area a day after the Federal Government said it would deploy the National Army.

Idale News correspondent in the area said forces from both sides clashed and with heavy combat deploying in the town but the number of casualties remains unknown.

An eye witness told Idale News shelling started when Puntland forces with bulldozers attempted to trench more defence lines.

Federal Government Minister of Information Abdi Hayer Mareye called on the military Wednesday to deploy in the region to avert a full scale clash.

“On behalf of the Prime Minister, I would like to ask Somali military commanders to send all the ready military units to Galkaayo to prevent more clashes,” said the minister.

The two states have perennially clashed leading to deaths, displacement of populations and destruction of property. At least 40 people were killed last year in a deadly clash between the two regions whose enmity renewed in 2014 following the formation of Galmudug state.

Perspective into Puntland-Galmudug differences

In the mid 90s when Somalia was deeply into a vicious civil war, two major warlords who had served in the national army, General Farah Aideed and Col Abdullahi Yusuf signed a pact which would lead to a cessation of hostilities between Galmudug and Puntland for more than ten years.

In the treaty, Aideed’s forces which had control over Galmudug and the larger south-central Somalia would pull out 30 kilometres away from Galkaayo while Yusuf’s forces in the Puntland side would do the same.

Civilians from both sides would easily operate in the buffer-zone with the absence of any military formations or weaponry.

But tension built again after another warlord Ali Abdi Qeybdiid declared Galmudug a new state 2006, a development which did not receive the blessings of the national government. A former ally to Aideed, Qeybdiid failed to adhere to the earlier pact while Puntland also lacked strong leadership to enforce the treaty.

However the official formation of the new Galmudug state as part of the federalization process in 2014 brought to bear the differences between the two regions. Galmudug was formed out of one a half regions; that is Galgadud and half of Mudug whose northern part form Puntland.

In effect therefore the southern part of Galkaayo is in Galmudug while to the north is Puntland. But Puntland vehemently stood its ground during and after the state formation process arguing the whole of Mudug should fall under its jurisdiction.

TENSION ESCALATES IN GALKAAYO AS PUNTLAND AND GALMUDUG FORCES DIG IN FOR BATTLE was last modified: October 13th, 2016 by siid cali ateera

The Interim South West administration has announced a list of upper house candidates, becoming the fourth regional administration to make the declaration, Sunday Idale News Online Reports.

The emerged and emerging federal states of Somalia have been given two-day deadline to present their lists of upper house members, in a bid to avoid a another setback in the election.

South West president Shariff Hassan Sheikh Aden nominated 8-member candidates for upper house chamber, according to a statement obtained by South West State Based independent Station Idale News Online based in Baidoa.

Puntland, Galmudug and Jubbaland met the deadline given by the Somali electoral commission and put forward their quota seats in the upper house chamber of next Somali parliament.

ISWA ANNOUNCES UPPER HOUSE CANDIDATES was last modified: October 9th, 2016 by siid cali ateera

Fierce fighting between two Alshabab groups left several fighters dead, including one of their commanders in Hiran region of Somalia, Idale News Online has learned.

The fighting took Place at Show village, 180km to south of Beladwene on Monday. Local residents told Goobjoog news that fight started when fighters disputed the allocations of collected alms [Zakawat] from the residents.

The killed commander indentified as Mohammed Omar Habib, who previously held several administrative posts for Alshabab in Hiran region.

Alshabab did not issued any comments about the incident.

Somali government official in Baledwene said they are aware of the incident but did not give the exactly number of casualties and the nature of the fighting.

INFIGHTING BETWEEN ALSHABAB LEAVES ONE OF THEIR COMMANDERS DEAD IN HIRAN REGION was last modified: October 3rd, 2016 by siid cali ateera